Bungie Canceled a Game in 2024 Hailed as ‘The Future of Destiny’
Bungie canceled an ambitious game project codenamed “Payback” in summer 2024 that was internally considered to represent “the future of Destiny.” According to game journalist Jason Schreier, the canceled title was not a traditional Destiny sequel but rather a hero-focused spinoff with gameplay similar to Genshin Impact, positioning it as a broader extension of the Destiny universe rather than a direct continuation of the main franchise.
The project was led by Bungie’s senior leadership team including Luke Smith and Mark Noseworthy. The cancellation marked a significant strategic shift in the company’s direction, as Bungie subsequently announced a renewed focus on preserving Destiny’s legacy instead of pursuing new major titles. This pivot includes concrete plans to restore previously vaulted content that has been removed from the game over the years, suggesting the studio is prioritizing careful stewardship of the core experience over expanding its portfolio with new projects. The decision reflects broader industry trends as studios reassess their live-service commitments.